Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hosted a ‘working high tea’ for nearly 400 NDA MPs from both the Houses of Parliament to outline the line of action he expects them to follow. The meet was aimed at pushing his pet projects, advocate the adoption of the people-oriented ‘Gujarat formula’ and charge up the23-party strong alliance ahead of the winter session with plans to bring in as many as 30 Bills being firmed up.
Advising the MPs to involve more in “constructive activities” and “pro-poor policies”, Modi stressed the need for striving towards changing the image of the politicians and pointed out how they can play a key role in shaping the country’s destiny.
In his straight talk with the Parliamentarians, who gathered at his 7, Race Course Road residence for a ‘Diwali Milian’ function, Modi asked them to inform Ministers about the problems faced by the people so that the Government can formulate “pro-poor” policies based on their feedback.
“It is the Gujarat formulas on which four elections have been won in the State,” Modi was quoted as saying in the meeting that lasted about two hours. This was the first such meeting after the BJP-led NDA stormed into power in May.
If Modi talked about his ambitious project of Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan and sought the cooperation of the MPs to make it a success, he even dealt with issues at the micro-level by asking the MPs to set up benches at railway stations by using their MPlAD funds. He said that he has observed that on most of the platforms passengers keep standing for want of seating facilities.
The get-together also assumed significance due to the presence of all Shiv Sena MPs, including Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete, against the backdrop of the back-channel talks between the two allies — whose relations have strained, of late — over Government formation in Maharashtra.
Three Central Ministers gave presentations to the MPs on flagship schemes initiated by the Modi Government. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley briefed the MPs on the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Coal Ordinance, gas pricing and diesel de-regulation. He mentioned how the Government steered through the problems that emerged out of the cancellation of coal block licences and pointed out that the Ordinance was one of the ways to surpass the legal tangle on the issue. On the black money issue, sources quoted him saying that 18 chargesheets would be filed on Monday and 50 thereafter. Jaitley said the Government has also been able to correct the price index.
Rural Development Minister Nitin Gadkari spoke about the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana and labour Minister Narendra Singh Tomar briefed the MPs on the various initiatives taken under the Shramev Jayate Karyakram.
Parliamentary Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said he has appointed nine ambassadors for Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan and asked MPs to do the same. He also gave some tips to the MPs for the upcoming winter session of Parliament. He said 30 important Bills have been approved for the next session.
Greeting the assembled MPs, senior leader lK Advani said that this Diwali was the best he had ever witnessed, as the party had risen to unprecedented heights.
Taking up the ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’ that seeks to open a bank account for all citizens in the country, the Prime Minister said when a poor (with a bank account) would walk inside banks “like five star hotels” and get benefits including the insurance, a change would unroll in the country.
October 31, marking the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, would be celebrated as unity day and also involve Government officers and taking ‘Unity Sapath’. Sources said that there would be a march of para-military forces in all districts and mobilisation of people to create awareness about the nation’s unity.
Talking about the recently launched Swachchhta Abhiyaan, the Prime Minister asked MPs to visit schools in their areas over a five-day period beginning November 14 and explain to the children the importance of hygiene. This would send a positive message, he added.
Saying that the initiative has received tremendous response from all sections of society, he called upon all NDA MPs to connect with people as they undertook efforts for Swachchh Bharat in their areas. The Prime Minister said that achieving Swachchh Bharat is tough, but just as people of this country got together to eradicate polio, in the same spirit Swachchh Bharat can also be achieved. The Prime Minister felicitated BJP president Amit Shah.